Profile of a Graduate Ecologist

Mark joined JBA Consulting as an Assistant Ecologist in February 2021. He is based in Dublin and works as part of a team of ecologists and environmental scientist. Here he gives some of his impressions of his first 12 months with the company.

What attracted you to JBA Consulting?

I had studied Marine Biology as part of my Masters degree at University College Cork, where I developed an interest in fisheries management and aquatic ecology. While working as a seasonal assistant with Inland Fisheries Ireland I became familiar with JBA’s work in ecological assessment of fluvial systems throughout Ireland which sparked my interest in the company. I was attracted to the diverse range of ecological work JBA procures, in areas such as river restoration, biodiversity enhancement and ecological impact assessment, and thought I could contribute to the team. 

What were your first impressions of JBA Consulting?

When I first started with JBA I was immediately impressed by the support and guidance provided by my team and from senior management within the Dublin Office. I was paired  up with a more senior ecologist and was shown the ropes, and given time to familiarise myself with the ongoing work. I was provided with opportunities to follow my own areas of interests while also gaining valuable experience in a variety roles within the team. The nature of our close knit team allowed me to express my opinions, ask questions and really develop into the role. 

Are you enrolled on the Graduate Scheme?

Yes, all graduates are automatically enrolled on the two year scheme.  I’m on a fixed rotation, but there are also options to move between offices or disciplines depending on your background and interests.  The scheme is largely self taught through on-line learning, although there are some taught elements where you get to meet with other graduates from across the company and from other disciplines.  The scheme is set up to support the technical learning you get from project and in-house or external courses, but the focus of the scheme is on wider aspects of working in a consultancy, such as time management, report writing and starting to work on project management and client liaison.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am currently leading the organisation and delivery of a range of Freshwater Resource training courses to local stakeholders across Kildare, in partnership with the Kildare LEADER programme. This was a project that I specifically showed an interest in and tendered for with approval from the environmental team. I am also responsible for the delivery of baseline ecological surveys and appraisal reports for two OPW heritage sites in Dublin, with a focus on providing insight into biodiversity enhancement of these important areas. I am involved in the Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) of arterial drainage maintenance on NHA bogs, and also perform environmental audits of maintenance works with OPW staff in the field. I regularly write Appropriate Assessment Screening reports and EcIAs for projects across Dublin, in collaboration with JBAs team of environmental scientists and landscape architects. My week usually involves at least a day or two of field work, with the remainder report writing and mapping using QGIS. 

Tell us some of the more interesting aspects of working for JBA Consulting

The variety of work is a highlight of my job. One day I could be surveying for Kingfisher along a stream in North Dublin, while the next I could be searching for Badger setts in an old oak forest in Co. Offaly. This variety has allowed me to find my specific interests in the wide field of consultancy and develop those key skills needed to work as an ecological consultant. Working with JBA has also given me the opportunity to learn from experts across the UK and Ireland, in areas such as Hyrdromorphology, Annex I habitat identification, Wintering Bird ecology and more. I have been consistently encouraged to develop my professional skills and have I have assumed responsibility for a range of projects as my skills developed, which I feel has massively enhanced my professional development.  As JBA is a multi-disciplinary company, I'm also learning a lot about flooding and engineering and how these disciplines impact on, and can be altered by, the ecological assessments I carry out.